Beebe Healthcare Auxiliary celebrates 85 years
Volunteers of the Beebe Healthcare Auxiliary gathered at the organization’s Treasure Chest thrift shop in Midway Nov. 12 to commemorate 85 years of service to eastern Sussex County’s community hospital.
Joining volunteers were Beebe President and CEO Dr. David Tam, Beebe Medical Foundation President Tom Protack and Sen. Ernie Lopez, R-Lewes. Many of the thrift shop volunteers have worked with the organization for nearly 10 years.
The Beebe Medical Center Auxiliary began in 1936 as a service group to raise money to maintain and equip the new hospital. It was an outgrowth of a group of volunteers, mainly women, who sponsored various social events to promote the welfare of Beebe. Today, the organization has 223 volunteers, both men and women, participating in auxiliary activities.
Eighty-five years later, the auxiliary is still committed to raising money for Beebe. The auxiliary runs the Beebe Gift Shop at the main campus and expects to open its second gift shop at the new facility on Route 24 early next year. In addition, the auxiliary runs the Beebe Treasure Chest thrift shop in the Midway Shopping Center on Route 1. The auxiliary’s weekly craft group donates handmade crafts to be sold in the hospital and thrift shop.
The auxiliary is the oldest fundraising arm of Beebe, with gifts exceeding $5 million over the years.
Nick Roth is the news editor. He has been with the Cape Gazette since 2012, previously covering town beats in Milton and Lewes. In addition to serving on the editorial board and handling page layout, Nick is responsible for the weekly Delaware History in Photographs feature and enjoys writing stories about the Cape Region’s history. Prior to the Cape Gazette, Nick worked for the Delmarva Media Group, including the Delaware Wave, Delaware Coast Press and Salisbury Daily Times. He also contributed to The News Journal. Originally from Boyertown, Pa., Nick attended Shippensburg University in central Pennsylvania, graduating in 2007 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. He’s won several MDDC awards during his career for both writing and photography. In his free time, he enjoys golfing, going to the beach with his family and cheering for Philadelphia sports teams.
